A check of the closet showed me my hopes of something clean to wear weren’t to be fulfilled, but I did happen to find clean briefs and a pair of sweatpants under the dusty bed. A sniff check proved they were clean if a little dusty, but they’d do.
The bathroom. Jesus, I flinched when I entered it, seeing it through new eyes for the first time in months. It was dirty. It didn’t reek of crap or piss, thank God, because even I couldn’t handle that, but everything needed cleaning and just thinking about doing it made my brain revolt.
“Cole’s already overworked while we train new Enforcers. We took a few hits with fatings recently. Some of our guys left for their mate’s pack, and others, well, we’re just short, okay? As it is, I have them stretched thin. Which is why this is perfect. I can make sure Ren’s safe during the day, you get a clean house and don’t die of some bacterial-born pathogen that’s growing in your dirty socks, Cole gets some sleep, and everyone’s happy. Come on, Caleb. Ren’s good people, and she’s really cool once you get to know her.”
“I don’t want to. Dammit!” I snarled, starting the shower before I drained the bottle, and cursed because I didn’t even have a buzz.
Fucking bear. The bastard may be mellow as hell and good to have around to keep my wolf docile, but the fucker could drink like a sailor without getting even slightly buzzed.
“Then she’s dead. Without that job, she has no reason to stay in the pack. You know how it goes.” Walker said sadly, pissing me off because heknew.
Knew I wouldn’t be able to handle the little female getting hurt. Not when I could help.
“Fuck you, Walker.” I snarled, my temper rising when he laughed his ass off and snorted.
“Friends are good to have. Hell, maybe great to have when they’re as hot as Ren. Don’t forget Shelly’s coming back this month. With him.” Walker muttered, making my hackles rise even more.
I hated talking about my ex-mate. Hell, I didn’t even want to think about her, and I sure as hell didn’t want that woman anywhere near me, flaunting her mate in my face.
“Don’t care. As long as she stays off my land, I don’t give a damn what, where, or why.” I said, honestly meaning it.
I didn’t love Shelly anymore, and the bond was so broken it was non-existent, but that didn’t mean I wanted it rubbed in my face. What she did nearly ended me, and I didn’t want the reminder of just how far I had gone for her. I was obsessed to the point of madness, my wolf so crazy in love and deeply bonded, I couldn’t think straight without her. I never wanted that again, not ever, and that’s why I couldn’t do this with Ren Sheppard.
That touch this afternoon. That damned touch was too…familiar.
“Okay, so we’re agreed. Ren—”
“Can’t be here with me, Walker. I’m sorry, but she just can’t.” I croaked, tamping down a whine that echoed in my head.
Hearing it, as weak as it was, scared me shitless, and I’d do anything to avoid it. Anything.
“Caleb. Come on. Don’t do this. She’ll die! Think man. Do you want that on your conscience? Huh? Knowing you could have helped a defenseless, innocent woman whose only crime was to run and save herself? Her ex nearly killed her, and the pack hates her. The Sheppard family is after her—”
“I can’t do this. Goddammit, I felt the touch!” I roared, closing my eyes as I acknowledged the truth of it.
There was silence now; the only thing I heard was my own ragged breathing and Walker’s gasp of breath, letting me know he was still there and listening. A throat cleared, I heard him swallow, and then he said something I wasn’t sure I was sane enough to deal with tonight.
“You think…you have a fated?” he rasped, sounding so hopeful I cursed.
“I had a fated, remember? Shelly—”
“Shelly fated to Graham. After you. I know it happened with you, and you bonded, and I even know that only happens when it’s fated, but think, man. She was insistent when Graham hit town that she was drawn, couldn’t help it. Maybe she was telling the truth, dammit. Maybe…fuck, I don’t know. Maybe what you two had was….”
“I don’t know, and I don’t care either. That’s done, Walker. It’s done. I am done. Do you hear me? I don’t know what happened with Ren Sheppard todayorwhat it means, and I don’t care. I don’t want it.” I growled, ending the call with a snarl before he could argue.
I also didn’t know how I was going to handle tomorrow because, sure as hell, that woman would show up here since I knew Walker wouldn’t fire her. And when she did…
Her life was in my hands.
Chapter 3 Ren
"…
bullshit. I mean, I've been so nice." I grumbled, jamming yet another thing through the tiny crack in the closet door before I put my shoulder into it and forced it shut.
At this rate, the door was going to buckle, but I wasn't allowing myself to think about that because I was too pissed off and doing my best to keep hold of my friendly, open, cheerful attitude while getting as much done as possible.
It wasn't easy though. Caleb Chase had been nothing but rude, impossible, and plain scary since I'd arrived this morning. He'd gone out of his way to make everything impossible for me and done everything in his power to hinder me. If not for the fact that he'd finally lost it an hour ago and stormed out of here, I was pretty sure I would've eventually exploded.